out·side
ˌau̇t-ˈsīd 
ˈau̇t-ˌsīd
1
a
: a place or region beyond an enclosure or boundary: such as
(1)
: the world beyond the confines of an institution (such as a prison)
(2)
often capitalized in Alaska
: the world beyond the territory or state of Alaska
especially
: the 48 contiguous states
b
: the area farthest from a specified point of reference: such as
(1)
: the side of home plate farthest from the batter
(2)
: the part of a playing area toward the sidelines
(3)
: the part of a playing area away from the goal
2
: an outer side or surface
3
: an outer manifestation : appearance
4
: the extreme limit of a guess : maximum
the crowd numbered 10,000 at the outside
1
a
: of, relating to, or being on or toward the outer side or surface
the outside edge
b
: of, relating to, or being on or toward the outer side of a curve or turn
c
: of, relating to, or being on or near the outside
an outside pitch
2
a
: situated or performed outside a particular place
b
: connected with or giving access to the outside
outside telephone line
3
: maximum
4
a
: not included or originating in a particular group or organization
blamed the riot on outside agitators
b
: not belonging to one's regular occupation or duties
outside interests
5
: barely possible : remote
an outside chance
6
: made or done from the outside
borrowed a basketball and practiced his outside shot
1
—used as a function word to indicate movement to or position on the outer side of
2
: beyond the limits of
outside the scope of this report
outside the law
3
: except
Examples of outside in a Sentence
Noun
The house looks nice from the outside.
painted the outside of the house
Adjective
the outside edge of the foot
She turned on the outside light to see what was making the noise.
The phone will not let you make outside calls.
The company hired an outside consultant.
a businessman with few outside interests besides golf
There were outside influences that affected his decision to retire early.
Adverb
The children love playing outside.
It's nice outside, with not a cloud in the sky.
He ran outside to see what the noise was about.
He looked outside at the snow.
The candy was hard outside but chewy inside.
The car seemed in good condition outside.
Preposition
We waited outside the store.
He kept his hands outside his pockets.
There was a dog barking outside the house.
She finished the race five seconds outside the record.
We live outside the city.
I have never traveled outside the U.S. before.
No one outside the group knew of their plans.
Recent Examples on the Web
William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
Two other dogs were alive, one near Betsy, the other outside (a family friend later took them in).
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Get outside perspectives from managers, peers or a coach who can identify blind spots and offer real solutions.
—Jj Mazzo, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Anna Haines, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
For people with itchy, water eyes, consider wearing glasses or sunglasses outside to help keep pollen out of your eyes.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
Ann Abel, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
That’s especially so given that some of the trades involved events almost certainly outside White House knowledge, such as the drone strike and statements about the trade war coming from China that appear to have blindsided Trump along with everyone else.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outside
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
With his outside shot once again falling, he's averaged 8.7 assists over his last seven games.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
Two other dogs were alive, one near Betsy, the other outside (a family friend later took them in).
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
His name has cropped up in TV industry circles in recent weeks as an outside bet to become BBC content chief once Charlotte Moore departs to Sony.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Get outside perspectives from managers, peers or a coach who can identify blind spots and offer real solutions.
—Jj Mazzo, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Adverb
Slowing Down and Lotus-Inspired Dining The new season of The White Lotus opens with a meditation session in a glass pavilion, interrupted by gunshots heard outside.
—Anna Haines, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
For people with itchy, water eyes, consider wearing glasses or sunglasses outside to help keep pollen out of your eyes.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
Preposition
The place also has a close connection to nature, along the pathways that link the blocks of rooms, outside the windows of the dreamy hay barn, and inside the cave that’s used as a massage room and yoga studio.
—Ann Abel, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
That’s especially so given that some of the trades involved events almost certainly outside White House knowledge, such as the drone strike and statements about the trade war coming from China that appear to have blindsided Trump along with everyone else.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outside
Cite this Entry
“Outside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outside. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outside
1 of 4 noun
out·side
(ˈ)au̇t-ˈsīd
ˈau̇t-ˌsīd
1
: a place or region beyond an enclosure or boundary
2
: an outer side or surface
3
: the extreme limit of a guess : most
the crowd numbered 10,000 at the outside
outside
2 of 4 adjective1
: of, relating to, or being on the outside
the outside edge
2
: connected with or leading to the outside
an outside door
3
: coming from outside
outside influences
4
: barely possible : remote
an outside chance
outside
3 of 4 adverb
: on or to the outside
waited outside in the hall
outside
4 of 4 preposition1
: on or to the outside of
outside the house
2
: beyond the limits of
outside the law
3
: except entry 1 sense 2, besides
nobody outside a few close friends
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